Blue-Chip Recruiting Report: Danny McFadden (St. Thomas Academy-2021)

In high school and my earlier years of college, I would usually hit up Hudl and YouTube to watch Minnesota prep highlight tapes from kids of all eras and programs when studying had become too mind-numbing. One of my go-to favorite rabbit holes involved the St. Thomas Academy Cadets - who were one of the most competitive teams in the state when I was in high school - and put out some of the most talented and exciting prep players of any school in Minnesota. Going back to <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/408363/5721aa120c5e68122466cfbd">Paddy Clancy</a>, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/408364/5721a8f3041ddc1b00243e78">John Gould</a>, or <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/568939/5721a8f39a91677e745d4f93">Isaac Hayes</a>, to <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/573605/5721aa859a90ec554056f7f7">Danny McManus</a>, Fritz and <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/573834/5721ab5bc124573b5439f6ba">Nick Waldvogel</a>, or <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1456253/5721c10d0c5e681224962c7e">Will Ratelle</a> and <a href="https://www.northstarfootballnews.com/player/luke-herzog/"><a href="https://www.northstarfootballnews.com/player/luke-herzog/">Luke Herzog</a></a>, there are so many fun Cadets to watch that I couldn’t even add them all to the list. Another reason for my enthusiasm for STA football was the tradition of brothers to find success on the gridiron. The McManus’, Waldvogel’s, and Herzog’s have a great lineage at STA, but there is on particular family that consumed most of my time when procrastinating English papers and Norwegian assignments: the McFadden’s. I’m not the only one who finds the family fascinating, as a recent feature by the <a href="https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.twincities.com/2019/09/19/high-school-football-danny-mcfadden-is-last-in-a-long-line-of-brothers-at-st-thomas-academy/amp/">St. Paul Pioneer Press </a>describes the five McFadden brothers athletic journeys at St. Thomas Academy, and specifically the fifth and final brother & the recipient of this special Northstar Football News Blue-Chip Recruiting Report: Danny McFadden. I was lucky enough to see the 5’9, 170 lb. rocket-ship of a running back slash and juke his way to two impressive performances against the 2019 5A state champion Chaska Hawks, and I came away more than impressed with the youngest of the McFadden boys. With his brothers <a href="https://gostanford.com/sports/football/roster/conor-mcfadden/7177">Conor</a> and <a href="https://www.hudl.com/v/2Ccrpa">Pat</a> ending up playing at Stanford, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1862510/5721cc820dcb0d12f86f1de3">Sean</a> playing at Boston College, and Pioneer Press Player of the Year, All-Metro First Team, and now elite junior hockey prospect <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/6313324/5bfb3eed5b478907901e42a8">Brendan </a>providing ample experience and toughness to the youngest of their brother, it’s about as sure a bet as can be that Danny is a special kind of athlete at the running back position, and would be a tremendous addition to a college football program’s roster the day he stepped on campus, regardless of division. After rushing for 1,457 yards and 23 touchdowns with a 7.3 YPC (!) average as a junior last season, Danny is poised to contend for his older brother’s Pioneer Press POTY award - and just about every other one in the book - this coming fall for STA. I was quite excited to be able to interview McFadden for Northstar Football News, and he was kind enough to talk with us about putting on weight, STA’s 5A state championship appearance in 2019, who he’s been in contact with recruiting-wise, and more! I hope you enjoy. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6512927/5ddb535c2aa81e0d2c3be365">Danny McFadden Junior Season</a> NFN: Hello and thank you for your time, Danny! Congratulations on all of your success in 2019, as well as STA’s. Please begin by telling us a little bit about yourself, when you began playing football and what you love about it, and your 2019 stats and measurables. McFadden: “I am from Mendota Heights, and live about 5 minutes from Saint Thomas. I started playing tackle football in 3rd grade, but have been playing football with my brothers for as long as I can remember. I am the youngest of 6 kids, and I love history and reading. I love the camaraderie found on the football team, and there is nothing like playing on Friday nights. I am 5’9 170, bench 195 and squat 315. In 2019 I had: 1457 yards rushing, 199 yards receiving, 7.3 YPC, 23 touchdowns, and I will be getting a 40 time soon.” NFN: What was your sophomore season in 2018 like? What was a memorable game and how was the year like for the team? McFadden: “The thing I loved about the 2018 season is that we surprised everyone. We had a couple bad years before 2018, and nobody really expected us to be good. It was awesome playing with my older brother Brendan, and he helped me develop running back skills. I didn’t play much at the beginning of the season, but got time by the end as a kind of slot back. The Tartan game was crazy because it was super cold out, and we just pounded the ball all game long. I was super disappointed that we fell short that season, and really wish my brother would have been able to get a ring.” NFN: I wish he could have, as well. What were expectations like coming into the ‘19 season then? How was your offseason? Also, what do you love about the Cadet program? McFadden: “The expectations for the team this year were high. We knew we were going to be losing a lot, so a lot of kids had to step up. I knew that I had to get a lot bigger, so I spent a ton of time in the weight room, gaining 15 pounds. The 2018 team and Coach O’Brien set a great atmosphere of grittiness and hard work, which I think defines our team. I love the brotherhood that exists in our program, and I know that we all have each other’s backs.” NFN: Well said. So get into some details of the ‘19 season? What were some of your best games? McFadden: “The 2019 season went great. Our first game against Coon Rapids was super physical, and we had a great team win against Mahtomedi. Our team had a three touchdown comeback against Hastings on Homecoming, which felt great. My best games were against Mahtomedi, Hastings, and Apple Valley, in which I scored 6 touchdowns, over 400 yards, and over 7 YPC. I had my best stretch of the season in sections, where I had 350 yards and over 10 YPC in two games. The Owatanna game was a super satisfying, and it was one of the most fun football games I’ve played in. We had a great gameplan against Elk River, and our defense played great. That first Chaska game allowed us to take a look at ourselves and humbled us.” NFN: It seems like that first loss to Chaska came at as good of a time as it could have. You guys balled out in the postseason. Speaking of Chaska though, what was the experience like of playing them in the Bank for a state championship this year? McFadden: “The Championship was an awesome experience. We knew that Chaska was a great team first hand, so we were super focused in the days leading up to the game. The game itself was an absolute battle. They had a great defense, and it was hard to get anything going. Ultimately, Chaska just had a great final drive. It was super disappointing, but was still a great experience.” NFN: Great answer. Now, last but not least, what’s up with your recruiting? Who has been in contact? Additionally, are you going to any camps this summer? And what are you looking for in a college? McFadden: “For college, I am really interested in playing at a school with great academics, regardless of level. I was invited to The MSMU, Bemidji, and UWEC Junior days, and have been in contact with Harvard, Yale, and Columbia. I am planning on going to a couple Ivy League camps this summer. Overall, I am open to most schools. I am a hard working team player that will do whatever it takes to contribute to the team.” Stay tuned for the upcoming c/o 2021 NFN Top-150 rankings, as you will see Danny pretty high up on the charts. Trust me, this won’t be the last you hear from Mendota Heights and the last of the McFadden’s! Also, if you’re interested I’ve embedded some more of my favorite former Cadet highlight tapes! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/778514/5721baac4df6124b70ffc1b9">Connor Duffy Senior Year</a> <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/778535/5721baaddfe23b2d6897cd1c">Jackson Finn Senior Tape</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/568871/5721a9e64df6124b70da3fab">Jon Best Highlights</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/780272/5721b52e19a53e2a1849b88a">Mario Bognanno Senior Year</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/573775/5721acb19a91677e7466e3c9">Wyatt Schmidt</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1862490/5721d9af90eead5d90e2692d">Joe Markert USD Commit Senior Tape</a> Danny McManus Dartmouth Highlights: [embed]https://youtu.be/7cFgIrnF3xc[/embed] Ryan McManus Dartmouth Highlights: [embed]https://youtu.be/HGDq-g50w5M[/embed] Ryan McManus Highlights: [embed]https://youtu.be/RooRuyC9YGo[/embed] Will Ratelle St. Thomas Academy highlights: [embed]https://youtu.be/fnAlIMzmfjI[/embed] Fritz Waldvogel University of St. Thomas highlights: [embed]https://youtu.be/4TwUP4YF6xA[/embed] [embed]https://youtu.be/anIErUrZIqI[/embed] Northstar Football News